Rabies Once Again On The Rise In State

Reported Cases Have More Than Doubled

SOUTHINGTON — Health authorities say they are not surprised that a stray cat that attacked a woman early this month has tested positive for rabies.

A second rabies epizootic -- the animal equivalent of an epidemic -- is moving through the state.

In the past six months, the number of confirmed cases of animal rabies statewide is more than double the number recorded in the same period last year, state health officials reported Friday.

``We thought we would be seeing a resurgence,'' said Patricia Checko, health director for the Bristol-Burlington Health District. ``People really need to be aware it is around us.''

The woman who was attacked by the cat near Recreation Park on July 8 has been treated with five anti- rabies vaccines.

Checko said the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, was caring for three wild cats in her neighborhood. As she put food out, a cat jumped out of some bushes and bit her in the leg.

An animal control officer captured the cat. It was destroyed and tested positive for rabies, Checko said.

Another cat was captured and destroyed; the third cat has not been seen for a month.

Raccoons have been the principal carriers in the rabies epizootic that spread to Connecticut in 1991. However, any warm-blooded animal is susceptible to the disease, including foxes, coyotes, skunks, woodchucks, squirrels, cats and dogs.

The epizootic peaked in 1994, and the disease had been declining until this year.

Stephen Egbertson, supervising virologist for the state Department of Public Health virology lab, said the disease is increasing as the raccoon population recovers from the first epizootic.

Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system. It can be treated successfully if vaccines are given soon after exposure. Once symptoms of the disease appear, it is almost always fatal.

Checko said there are simple rules for avoiding rabies:

* Have cats and dogs vaccinated for rabies and keep them inside at night.